THE GOSPEL OF JOHN: LESSON 22 COME AND SEE This week we will be studying our final chapter of the book of John. If you re like me, you re still basking in the glory of the resurrection of Christ from chapter 20! Jesus appeared to His disciples for 40 days after His resurrection (Acts 1:3), but John chose to record only three of them (20:19, 20:26, and 21:14). Our scene changes from Jerusalem to Galilee, which is also called Tiberias (John 6:1). Jesus had told His disciples to wait for Him in Galilee (Matthew 28:7, Mark 16:7), and some of them decide to go fishing while they wait. As you read this chapter, notice the detail that John gives the reader, again showing us that he was an eye witness. As you study, ask the Holy Spirit to open up your ears and eyes to the spiritual truths He has for you. This chapter is significant, not only for the disciples, but for you and me as well. We don t want to miss a thing! First Day 1. Read John 21:1-25. Before we break it down, what would you see as the main point of the chapter? 2. Observe and list the facts in each section. Answer the questions; Who? What? Where? When? Why? How? Give each section a title to reflect the main point. Section 1: Verses 1-14
2 Section 2: Verses 15-25 3. Are there any repeated words, phrases, or thoughts in this chapter? 4. Verse 1 says after these things. What things is John referring to? 5. Why do you think they were fishing? What time of day was it? Leon Morris writes that It is still the custom of commercial fishermen on the Sea of Galilee to fish after sunset and before sunrise. 6. Upon first reading, what immediate application do you see for yourself in this chapter? We ll end here for now. What a great encouragement it must have been for the disciples, especially Peter, to get to see Jesus again. I can t wait to see Him face to face, can you? That is the biggest Reason to Rejoice in the whole world! Memory Verse of the Week: And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen. John 21:25
3 Second Day What s your memory verse? Isn t it great? 1. Read John 21:1-14. Who did Jesus show Himself to? John Phillips, in his book Exploring the Gospels, writes, We wonder, of course, who the other two were. Nathanael was among them, so it is likely that his good friend Philip was one of them (1:43-51). Peter was there, so his brother Andrew might have been the other (1:40-41). But still the fact remains that two are left anonymous by the Holy Spirit - perhaps so that you and I can take our seats in the boat! 2. Who made the decision to go fishing? 3. How many fish did they catch that first night? 4. Did they recognize Jesus at first? When did they recognize Him? Why? 5. What did Jesus tell them to do? Did it work? Some believe that Peter and the others decided to return to their old occupation because of their discouragement. Others (like me) believe that they were simply fishing while they waited for Jesus to come. Peter seems like the type of man that can t sit still for very long. Maybe they were just looking for something to do, or maybe they were hungry. This must have been a very disappointing experience for them. They were experienced fishermen. Catching nothing could have caused them to feel like failures. This was obviously part of God s plan for them because He had a lesson to teach them. He was sure to have their attention now. God used their failure for His glory.
4 6. Have you ever felt like a failure in some way? How can failing be a good thing for us, even though it is discouraging? Can you share a time when God used an experience of failure in your life for His glory? 7. When they obeyed the words of Jesus, what happened? Verse 7 tells us that it was John that first recognized Jesus. I wonder if he immediately thought of the event recorded in Luke 5. 8. Read Luke 5:1-11. What similarities do we find? What differences? 9. Why do you think Jesus uses a fishing experience when He first called them, and then again before He returns to the Father? What does He call them in Matthew 4:19? What is Jesus reminding them of? 10. You and I are also called to be fishers of men. These men really understood what Jesus meant. Can you explain it in your own words? See you tomorrow, ladies! Ask the Lord to show you where to throw out your line today. Many still need to be caught for Jesus.
5 Third Day Study your memory verse. When the disciples obey Jesus, their nets are full. Most fishermen have exaggerated fish stories, but this one is true! The disciples see another miracle right before their very eyes. 1. Read John 21:1-14 again. What did Peter do when he heard it was the Lord? (Why do you think he put on his outer garment to jump in the lake?) Peter swam about 100 yards to shore while the rest of the guys brought the boat in, dragging the heavy net that was bursting with fish. Peter couldn t wait to get to Jesus. A scholar by the name of Ruskin describes the scene this way: But when the morning came, in the clear light of it, behold a figure stood on the shore. They were not thinking of anything but their fruitless hauls. They had no guess who it was. It asked them simply if they caught anything. They said no, and it tells them to cast again. And John shades his eyes from the morning sun with his hands, to look who it is; and though the glinting of the sea, too, dazzles him, he makes out who it is, at last; and poor Simon, not to be outrun this time, tightens his fisher s coat about him, and dashes in, over the nets. One would have liked to see him swim those hundred yards, and stagger to his knees on the beach. As the disciples drag in the net, they notice breakfast cooking. Jesus tells them to bring up some of the fish they caught and then tells them something significant. 2. What did Jesus say to them in verse 12? Read John 1:35-39. Why is this significant?
6 3. Read the following verses that tell us to come. To what are we invited? A. Isaiah 1:18 B. Matthew 11:28-30 C. Hebrews 4:16 D. Luke 9:23-26 E. Revelation 22:17 4. Why do you think Jesus came to them in this way? What did this teach them about who He was? About His power? About their own sufficiency or strength? We have to listen to the Lord and obey His direction in our life. We can t try to do it our own way. We must depend on His power and strength for everything. We won t accomplish anything worthwhile on our own. We need Him desperately (John 15:5). We must come and follow Him, dine with Him, run to Him in our time of need, go to Him to find our rest. Our wisdom -- just as the disciples wisdom -- amounts to nothing. 5. Have you been trying to accomplish something lately in your own strength? Maybe it s some type of ministry; maybe it s evangelism. Perhaps you have been trying to forgive someone in your own strength. Ask the Holy Spirit to first show you the problem area, then repent, and ask Him to show you what changes you need to make. The disciples had to first confess their failure (21:5) before their net was filled. Bring your failure before Him and allow Him to fill your net.
7 In those days, eating someone s food created a bond of friendship. Jesus invited them to come and eat. 6. What do you think it means to be a friend of Jesus? 7. Now let s begin our next section. Read verses 15-25. Why do you think Jesus singles out Peter? Why did he need special encouragement? Some call this section Peter s restoration, but I think he had already been restored. Luke 24:34 tells us that The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon! Others see this more as Peter s commission. Because he was to be a leader, perhaps the others needed to see Jesus address Peter as well. I m sure Peter s conscience was eating him up for denying his Lord. I think Jesus is showing His grace, mercy, and compassion on Peter as well. 8. Is there something in your past that has been eating you up? Is there some sin that you think is too large for the Lord to forgive, and it has been tormenting you? Read the following verses. What does the Lord do with our sins? A. Isaiah 43:25 B. Isaiah 55:7 C. Jeremiah 31:34 D. Psalm 103:12 E. 1 John 1:9 The Lord loved Peter, and He loves you. Don t let the past guilt of sin keep you from moving forward in your relationship with Christ. Don t let your guilt distance you from the very One who can remove it!
8 That s it for today. May God continue to speak to your heart as you seek Him daily. Get alone with Him every day and allow Him to minister to you in the way only He can. Fourth Day Have you been working on your memory verse? 1. Read John 21:15-25 again. How many times did Jesus ask Peter the same question? Why do you think He asks him so many times? In verse 15, Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him more than these. These may refer to his fishing occupation, but seems more likely that Jesus is referring to the other disciples. Peter had made a public statement that he had a greater devotion (Matthew 26:33, Mark 14:29, John 13:37), and perhaps Jesus was referring to that comment. The first two times Jesus used the Greek word agape when speaking to Peter. This is the word used for the highest kind of love, a sacrificial, pure and lofty love. It is the word used to describe God s love. The third time He uses phileo, which means brotherly love or affection. Peter always responds with phileo. It s interesting that Peter denied Jesus three times, and has to express his love for Jesus three times as well. Both incidences take place around a fire. 2. How does Peter respond to the first question, in verse 15? What does Jesus tell him to do? 3. Three times Peter says, You know that I do. Why does he keep repeating that?
9 Jesus is telling Peter to tend, or shepherd, His flock. He was commissioning Peter to lead the flock like a shepherd. Jesus then asks Peter again if he loved Him, wanting him to state his love absolutely, above everything else. He points out that lambs need to be fed, sheep need to be led. The third time the Lord changed the question. He asked if Peter even had a brotherly love for Him. This grieved Peter s heart. John Phillips describes Peter s third response in this way: The threefold question matched the threefold denial. Peter had been vehement when he denied the Lord the third time; he is passionate enough now. You know I have personal affection for you. You know me through and through. You know everything. You know what I said and what I did and what I am. You know me better than I know myself. Lord, out of all Your knowledge of me You know I have brotherly love for You. You know I love You (phileo), and I know I can never love You the way You love me (agape). It was the confession of a man who had been put to the wall by his conscience and who stood now before the Lord, broke, aware of his weakness, sensitive to his limitations, and afraid to ever boast again. 4. Perhaps Jesus was also pointing out that it s one thing to say you love Him, it s quite another to be willing to serve and follow Him. Peter was willing to obey. How about you? Are you willing to exercise your faith and obey His words? Read John 14:15. Is your life characterized by obedience? In verse 18, Jesus was foretelling Peter s crucifixion. Tradition tells us that Peter was crucified upside down in the 60 s AD, because he did not feel worthy to die as his Lord did. By the time John wrote this, Peter had already been martyred for his faith, at the hand of Nero. 5. Bottom line, what does Jesus tell Peter to do in verse 19? What kind of commitment is He asking for? 6. Are you willing to follow Him, leaving everything else behind? Do you love Him more than anything else? Do you have a burning love for Him and a desire to serve Him? If you can say yes, write a prayer of commitment to Him.
10 Perhaps Peter literally began to follow Jesus, because verse 20 tells us that when he turned around, John was following too. 7. What was Peter concerned about when he noticed John? Why? 8. How did Jesus answer Peter? How are these words applicable to us today? Jesus wants us to keep our eyes on Him, not on other people. We can t compare what God is doing in our life with anyone else s life. He has a perfect plan for you and for me. He calls us to follow Him, no matter what. 9. Do you struggle with comparing yourself with others? What should you do about it? 10. How close are you following Jesus? Are you following Him from afar, like Peter did after Jesus was arrested? Are you following Him in secret, like Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea did for a time? Have you openly declared your love and commitment to Him, following Him as close as you can? Or do you go back and forth, depending on who you re around? Think about it 11. How does John conclude his Gospel, in verses 24-25? Why is verse 25 so exciting? (At least I think it is!)
11 We ll end here today. I pray that you are challenged to follow Jesus with all your heart and all your might. I pray that you will remember that you can do it in His strength, not your own. And I pray that you realize how much God loves you. Fifth Day Write out your verse from memory. 1. Before we review, let s read about the Great Commission and Jesus ascension into Heaven. Read Luke 24:44-53 and Mark 16:19-20. Describe the Great Commission in your own words. The ending implies that the story continues, going on and on. It reminds us that that Lord is still working! It s been said that Mark 16:20 is simply a summary of the book of Acts. I also wanted to give you an outline of the appearances of Jesus after His resurrection. This is taken from the Life Application Bible. Mary Magdalene Mark 16:9-11; John 20:10-18 The other women at the tomb Matthew 28:8-10 Peter in Jerusalem Luke 24:34; 1 Corinthians 15:5 The two travelers on the road Mark 16:12, 13 Ten disciples behind closed doors Mark 16:14; Luke 24:36-43; John 20:19-25 All the disciples with Thomas John 20:26-31; 1 Corinthians 15:5 (excluding Judas Iscariot) Seven disciples while fishing John 21:1-14 Eleven disciples on the mountain Matthew 28:16-20 A crowd of 500 1 Corinthians 15:6 Jesus brother James 1 Corinthians 15:7 Those who watched Jesus ascend Luke 24:44-49; Acts 1:3-8 into Heaven
12 2. Look back over your notes. What chapter or chapters made the most impact on you this year? Why? 3. What are some of the key points discussed in this book? 4. What evidence does John s Gospel give that Jesus is the Christ and the Son of God? 5. List some things you learned about God in this book. 6. What did you learn about yourself? 7. How has the Gospel of John affected, or changed, your life? Thanks for joining us in our study of the Gospel of John. What an exciting book what an amazing God!
13